Canzano questions: JC: "What's the toughest part of moving to a new city?" AM: "During the season it's tough to find a place, in the summer it's easier--there's more time." JC: "Your NCAA Tournament Performance in 98 was great--what did you learn from Rick Majerus?" AM: "Fundamentals. I'm versatile and can play halfcourt and uptempo. I screen and move w/o the ball and that's something I have to apply when I come to POR." JC: "You got your degree in Sociology and some Masters. Most guys haven't been to college--do you have an advantage?" AM: "None. League makes money off of potential and talent. Having a degree doesn't get you far. I'm not one of those guy who could've made the early jump. I took care of school first and then basketball took care of the rest." JC: "How do you see yourself fitting in?" AM: "I'm blending in. I don't have to do as much as I did in PhI, bringing the ball up, forcing the issue. We had to FB to win, or we struggled. Now I can go old-school ways---passing, moving w/o the ball, cut. I'm looking forward to it." JC: "Are you comfortable being the elder statesmen here?" AM: "I'm looking forward to it. As far as the age thing, I don't make as big a deal. I've earned the respect, I think, coming to this situation. Those guys are mature, and I'm just going into that situation hoping to blend in." JC: "Brandon ROy is a 2-time all-star. how does your game complement his?" AM: "Observing during the season I saw that he had the ball in his hands a lot, and he got tired sometimes. that's a lot of pressure, scoring a lot of points and a team focusing in on you. I'm an extra ballhandler getting him the ball in position to score and make it easier for him." JC: "What is it about how you play to have longevity?" AM: "I don't know. taking time away from the game in the summer and healing up; a little bit of luck, just blessed to take advantage. " JC: "You've been in CLE, DEN, CLips, PHI...is that the sign of the NBA that people move, or is it the kind of player you are?" AM: "Teams are always looking to get better, and I help teams get better. I've been to the playoffs, i'm exp., and if I can fit into a program I get into it and make it better. It's a fun thing." JC: "What do you say to people who aren't happy with this signing?" AM: "I really don't care what they think. They probably didn't want me in PHI either, so I went into that situation and proved the critics wrong...getting them to the playoffs and getting close to the 2nd round. I can't worry about the critics, whether it's a good or bad move---I'm a hard worker and make people around me better." JC: "Last year I watched Oden struggle with the expectations and look around all the time, can some of your veteran savvy rub off on him?" AM: "Young guys keep their mouth shut, look around and observe. LMA Roy and Oden didn't have anyone to look to to learn from, but they were able to look to Nate when they kept their mouth shut." JC: "Is it an advantage to play PG for a PG coach?" AM: "Styles shouldn't matter--basketball is putting the ball into the basket. Whether running or slow paced. It does have adv. playing for a coach who's established in the league." JC: "When are you arriving tomorrow at the airport? Have you ever been greeted at the airport?" AM: "No, not really. When I got to CLE they said "we got PGs, we don't need a PG. Clips was a home situation. DEN was playoff team. PHI trade, they were rebuilding...those fans probably didn't know who I was. I interact a bit with the fans and am cordial, but the thing i'm looking to most is the fans in POR who are so involved. I've been there, I know how involved they are." JC: "I've heard you have a rep who keeps to himself. What do people mean?" AM: "It's a plus and minus. People don't get to understand you as a person. But that's how I came in the league. I'm not a guy who'll waer a suit on the bench and make friedns throughout the league. I work hard on the court, go home to firends and family, and don't expect to change that." JC: "Do you have the starting job, or are you going to have to earn it?" AM: "I expect to work hard and earn it. Guys in the league think the same way. My expectations is to go in and compete for a starting job. It'll be a job, competitive, fun, respetful and businesslike. If I'm not like that, I'm not helping." JC: "Sociologically, how is POR different as a city?" AM: "They have no football and I like football. It's a city on the west coast, it's coming home--one of my relatives goes to UO, I'm looking forward to it. The focus is on the PTB, the fans are into it, there's a great environment, there's a microscope." JC: "If you perform here people love you." AM: "The focus is more on the players, which is different for me, but it makes me focus even more so it's not as big a distraction."
JC: The interview started abrasively, but then picked up in the middle. This young team in the playoffs needed toughness, an edge. They needed a pro. Andre Miller is a pro. But there's a toughness/edge there. Some thought he was cocky, some confident. Did Miller help himself?
Thanks for the recap, Brian. Miller seems to be wise to the business-like aspect of the NBA. Hopefully he'll take some time to get to know the guys a bit, since the team seems to be a close-knit group. If not, well, as long as he produces on the court, he'll make everyone happy. I'm pumped up about him after reading this. I love his focus. I did notice he didn't mention "winning", but perhaps the questions didn't really give him the opportunity.
I got the impression that he's not Rah-Rah, but he's not going to let the team tank on his watch. He talked like a pro about "earning the starting spot", but I don't think he has any doubt he's starting. Canzano didn't lead him to the "winning" quote, but he did bring up more than a couple of times "blending in", "just trying to help out", etc. I didn't get the "I'm in it to get mine" vibe.
I'm pretty pumped as well, but the whole "winning" thing is a bit cliched. Hell, even guys like Bassy and ZBo who have done a lot of losing throughout their careers talk about "winning." Miller seems like a straight shooter whose sole focus is to fulfill his duties in a job. Thanks for the recap, Brian.
This interview reinforced most of my initial impressions and spot judgments about his personality. Business-like, no-nonsense, not a rah-rah guy and not exactly chummy with his teammates. It should be interesting to see how the team dynamic plays out, but my hunch is that he's only going to reinforce the "Nate" mentality of the team; trying not to get too down or too high after wins and losses and injecting a sense of professionalism and savvy into the team.
+1 In that respect, he and Roy should mesh well. Take care of business, and leave the styling and profiling to the other team.
Actually, that struck me as consistent with his personality. Basketball is a job that he loves and works hard at, but he's really just focused on doing his best. If winning results, great. But winning is a team endeavour and he can only control his own effort and play. Obviously, I can't speak for Miller...that may not be how he feels at all. But from what I've read of him over the years and his interviews, that seems like his attitude to me. And I like that attitude. I want everyone to worry about taking care of business...after that, if they're good enough, they'll win.
Wow, hell of a job Wheels! I take back all of the bad things I've said about you on Oregon Live. I posted this on O-live. Of course claiming that I'm the one who wrote. Thanks!
Yeah, I'll never forget how disappointed I was when OSU pounded the Ducks in the Civil War last year and finally made a Rose Bowl. Oh, wait...
Next year he's potentially an expiring, not this year. You gotta read the contracts, Draco. And if he does croak, we can apply for the Disabled Player exception, as well as cap relief due to Retirement for Medical Reasons--with the assurance that he won't come back on the cap Miles-style. Or if he does, that's another issue altogether. And not one that I'd put past Chris Wallace.
